Data from: Paternity analysis of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) reveals complex mating patterns

Mating system characteristics are of great importance as they may
influence male and female reproductive success and reproductive isolation.
The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a terrestrial freshwater species
listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature. Considering its conservation status and the paucity of information
currently available on parentage relationship for the species, we
performed a microsatellite analysis to study the mating system of wood
turtles in the Shawinigan River (Québec). We sampled 38 clutches over two
years (14 in 2006 and 24 in 2007), for a total of 248 offspring genotyped
with seven microsatellite loci. The reconstructed genotypes of the fathers
revealed that reproductive success in the sampled clutches varied greatly
between males and are positively correlated with the number of mates and
clutches sired. Frequency of multiple paternity was estimated at 37%
through a consensus of three different estimation methods. Positive
correlation was observed between the genetic diversity of clutches and the
number of fathers. Repeat paternity, however, was observed in 88% of the
clutches by the same female in successive years, which suggests either a
frequent use of sperm storage, or re-mating with the same partner in
successive years.